HR and Payroll Month in Review – May 2018: Québec

Minimum WageMay 1: The following increases took effect as part of the government’s new 4-year plan to bring the minimum wage to a ratio equivalent to 50% of the average hourly rate ($23.73 for 2017-18) by 2020:

General minimum wage: $12 (+75¢)

Tip earner minimum wage: $9.80 (+60¢)

Raspberry picker minimum wage: $3.56 per kg (+23¢)

Strawberry picker minimum wage: 95¢ per kg (+6¢).

Labour StandardsMay: Bill 176, which has passed first reading, is in some ways the Québec version of Ontario’s Bill 148, sans a $15 minimum wage. Key provisions in this sweeping LSA reform bill (Click here for more details)

Equal pay rights for part-timers, temps and temporary foreign workers

New right to stagger work week schedules without CNESST approval

Broader work refusal rights for employees

Extra week of vacation pay for employees with 3+ years of continuous service

Domestic violence leave

Right of employees to be paid for absences related to family obligations.